CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Mark Harris announced Tuesday he will not run in a new election for the 9th Congressional District.

Harris, who was the unofficial winner of the 9th District election in November, made the announcement just days after a four-day hearing into alleged election fraud held by the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

The hearing ended abruptly during Harris’ testimony when he took the stand and read a statement that he had testified incorrectly under oath and called for a new election in the 9th District. NCSBE members voted to hold a new election within hours of that statement.

Tuesday’s announcement from Harris, which came in a statement released on his Facebook page, made clear that he would not be a candidate in the new election.

In the statement Harris says “after consulting with my physicians, there are several things that my health situation requires as a result of the extremely serious condition that I faced in mid-January. One of those is a necessary surgery that is now scheduled for the last week in March.”

Over the last several days, I have had the privilege of hearing from so many people who have stood with us, cared for...

The statement continues, “Given my health situation, the need to regain full strength, and the timing of this surgery the last week of March, I have decided not to file in the new election for Congressional District 9.”

In his announcement, Harris endorsed Union County commissioner Stony Rushing for the seat.

Today I was honored to stand with family and friends and announce my candidacy in the special election in North Carolina’s 9th District. We've got a tough fight ahead of us, but together we can restore faith in our democracy. Join our movement here: https://t.co/BPTO6GTq21pic.twitter.com/FmePg13Ryj

“The one thing I can’t help but think is that what happened yesterday was that the State Board sent a message," McCready said at a rally in Charlotte. "In a 5-0 bipartisan decision - an historic decision - 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans came to together to send a message all across this country and all across the world that we care about democracy here in North Carolina.”

Harris’ statement to the board provided a stunning twist to the hearing.

It’s been brought to my attention that I talked to my son my younger son Matthew who I referenced earlier two nights ago about the fact that I did not think John’s emails would be part of this hearing. Obviously I was incorrect in my recollection and I whole-heartedly apologize to the board.

It became apparent there were issues with Mark Harris’ testimony when his attorney David Freedman interrupted cross examination by McCready attorney Marc Elias to ask to speak with board members in closed session.

At the end of last week, two sealed search warrants filed by Wake County District Attorney Lorin Freeman and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are providing the first clues as to the nature of the criminal investigation into allegations of election fraud in the 9th Congressional District.

Who will step up in Harris’ absence has yet to be seen. Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory said he will not run in the District 9 race. McCrory made the announcement Monday morning on the WBT News radio show, answering a question on the minds of many.

McCrory said he is keeping the option open for running for governor in 2020 or U.S. Senate in 2022.

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Mark joined WBTV in December 2013. Before becoming Managing Editor and Digital Content Manager, he excelled at covering breaking news for WBTV This Morning and filling in as an Anchor in the Alert Center, on WBTV News at Noon, and Morning Break.